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This study investigates the effect of 1,2,3,4‐butane tetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) crosslinking treatment on the electrical properties of poly‐p‐phenylene terephthalate (PPTA)/cellulose insulation paper to prepare a novel composite insulation paper with low dielectric constant and good electrical performance. Three‐layer PPTA/cellulose composite paper crosslinked by BTCA under various conditions, composite paper without crosslinking, directly mixed composite paper, and conventional Kraft paper are prepared. The morphology and surface chemical composition of the paper samples are characterized. Dielectric, mechanical, and thermal properties are investigated. Results show that the BTCA concentration of 0.2 mol L−1 with a 180°C curing temperature is the relatively superior crosslinking condition to prepare a novel composite with low dielectric constant and good comprehensive performance. The dielectric constant and loss of the novel composite paper decrease to 3.21 and 0.392 at 50 Hz. The tensile strength of the BTCA crosslinked three‐layer PPTA/cellulose composite paper (thickness: 130 μm) has reached 10.01 kN m−1, increased by 41.6% than the directly mixed composite paper. The novel BTCA crosslinked composite paper also shows improved thermal stability. The BTCA crosslinking proves to be a promising method to improve the dielectric properties and electrical performance of the PPTA/cellulose composite paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The success of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in native aortic regurgitation (AR) is limited by the absence of calcified anchoring structures. We sought to evaluate transfemoral TAVR in patients with native AR using a novel aortic root imaging classification. Methods: From March to November 2021, 81 patients with severe AR were prospectively enrolled in 2 cardiac centers in China. All were evaluated using multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and classified into 4 anatomic types in reference to transcatheter heart valve (THV) anchoring: Type 1: anchoring at the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT), annulus, and ascending aorta (AA); Type 2: anchoring at the annulus and AA; Type 3: anchoring at the annulus and LVOT; and Type 4: anchoring at only 1 level or none at all. Based on the dual‐anchoring strategy, patients with Types 1–3 were considered TAVR candidates. Procedural and 30‐day outcomes were assessed according to Valve Academic Research Consortium‐3 definitions. Results: TAVR was performed in 32 (39.5%) patients (71.9 ± 8.0 years of age, 71.9% were male) using 2 self‐expanding THVs. Types 1, 2, and 3 comprised 13 (40.6%), 11 (34.4%), and 8 (25.0%) cases, respectively. The procedural and device success rates were 100% and 93.8%, respectively, with 2 THV migration. Eight patients (25.0%) required a permanent pacemaker, and 2 (6.3%) developed moderate paravalvular leaks. No deaths or other major complications occurred during the study. Conclusions: The novel anatomic classification and dual‐anchoring strategy were associated with a high procedural success rate with favorable short‐term safety and clinical outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing the dielectric constant of insulating paper to improve the dielectric coordination performance of the oil‐paper systems has always been the research hotspot in the transformer insulation material industry. This paper prepares a novel poly‐p‐phenylene terephthalamide (PPTA)/cellulose composite paper with low dielectric constant and good mechanical properties. Various PPTA/cellulose mixing structures were established and the dielectric and mechanical properties were simulated via molecular dynamics simulation. Results showed that the PPTA/cellulose composite system had a lower dielectric constant than the cellulose system, for adding PPTA molecular could reduce the free volume of the system and limit the steering polarization of the dipole, as well as decrease the system polarization intensity. Constructing a three‐layer structure that contains continuous cellulose middle layer could improve the mechanical properties of the composite system greatly. Experimental results verified the simulation results. The dielectric constant of the three‐layer PPTA/cellulose composite paper decreased from 3.98 to 3.49 at 50 Hz, compared to the conventional cellulose paper. Moreover, the tensile strength of the novel three‐layer PPTA/cellulose composite paper (thickness: 130 μm) has reached 9.02 kN/m, increased by 27.6% than the directly mixed composite paper. Molecular dynamics simulation proves to be a promising method for guiding paper modification. Constructing three‐layer PPTA/cellulose structure represents an effective way to prepare a low dielectric constant composite insulating paper with good mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to decrease the dielectric constant of kraft paper by 1,2,3,4‐butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA) esterification crosslinking. Kraft paper samples are treated with various concentrations of BTCA to prepare modified paper with different reaction degrees. Morphology and surface chemical composition are characterized. The dielectric constant and loss of the plain and modified paper are also investigated. Results show that esterification occurs successfully between cellulose molecular chain and BTCA. The intrinsic dielectric constant and loss of 6 g L−1 BTCA‐treated paper decrease by 23.5% and 36.3%, respectively, at 50 Hz. The esterification can reduce the hydroxyl amounts on cellulose. The formed crosslinking network between the cellulose chains restricts the cellulose orientation polarization, thereby reducing cellulose polarizability. The electrical strength, mechanical properties, and thermal behavior of the samples are explored to evaluate comprehensively the modifying effect. BTCA esterification crosslinking proves to be a promising method for decreasing the dielectric constant of kraft paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatic fibrosis is a frequent feature of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Some evidence has suggested the potential role of silent information regulator 1 (SIRT1) in organ fibrosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of HCV core protein on expression of SIRT1 of liver sinusoidal endothelial cell (LSEC) and function of LSEC. LSECs were co‐cultured with HepG2 cells or HepG2 cells expressing HCV core protein and LSECs cultured alone were used as controls. After co‐culture, the activity and expression levels of mRNA and protein of SIRT1 in LSEC were detected by a SIRT1 fluorometric assay kit, real time‐PCR (RT‐PCR), Western blot, respectively. The levels of adiponectin receptor 2 (AdipoR2), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured by Western blot. Cluster of differentiation 31 (CD31), CD14, and von Willebrand factor (vWf) of LSECs was performed by flow cytometry. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was assayed. Malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), adiponectin, nitric oxide (NO), and endothelin‐1 (ET‐1) levels in the co‐culture supernatant were measured. The co‐culture supernatant was then used to cultivate LX‐2 cells. The levels of α‐smooth muscle actin (ASMA) and transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) protein in LX‐2 cells were measured by Western blot. Compared with LSEC co‐cultured with HepG2 cells group, in LSEC co‐cultured with HepG2‐core cells group, the activity and expression level of mRNA and protein of SIRT1 reduced; the level of adiponectin reduced and the expression level of AdipoR2 protein decreased; ROS levels increased; the expression level of eNOS, VEGF protein decreased; and the expression level of CD14 decreased; the expression level of vWf and CD31 increased; NO and SOD levels decreased; whereas ET‐1 and MDA levels increased; the levels of ASMA and TGF‐β1 protein in LX‐2 cells increased. SIRT1 activator improved the above‐mentioned changes. HCV core protein may down‐regulate the activity and the expression of SIRT1 of LSEC, then decreasing synthesis of adiponectin and the expression of AdipoR2, thus inducing contraction of LSEC and hepatic sinusoidal capillarization and increasing oxidative stress, ultimately cause hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation. Treatment with SIRT1 activator restored the function of LSEC and inhibited the activation of HSC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) is a disease transmitted to humans by the female sandflies of the genus Lutzomyia. Several factors are involved in the disease transmission cycle. In this work only rainfall and deforestation were considered to assess the variability in the incidence of ATL. In order to reach this goal, monthly recorded data of the incidence of ATL in Or'an, Salta, Argentina, were used, in the period 1985-2007. The square root of the relative incidence of ATL and the corresponding variance were formulated as time series, and these data were smoothed by moving averages of 12 and 24 months, respectively. The same procedure was applied to the rainfall data. Typical months, which are April, August, and December, were found and allowed us to describe the dynamical behavior of ATL outbreaks. These results were tested at 95% confidence level. We concluded that the variability of rainfall would not be enough to justify the epidemic outbreaks of ATL in the period 1997-2000, but it consistently explains the situation observed in the years 2002 and 2004. Deforestation activities occurred in this region could explain epidemic peaks observed in both years and also during the entire time of observation except in 2005-2007. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A microarray analysis was performed to investigate whether ex vivo culture conditions affect the characteristics of MSCs. Gene expression profiles were mainly influenced by the level of cell confluence rather than initial seeding density. The analysis showed that 276 genes were upregulated and 230 genes downregulated in MSCs harvested at ~90% versus ~50% confluence (P < 0.05, FC > 2). The genes that were highly expressed in MSCs largely corresponded to chemotaxis, inflammation, and immune responses, indicating direct or indirect involvement in immunomodulatory functions. Specifically, PTGES and ULBP1 were up-regulated in MSCs harvested at high density. Treatment ofMSCs with PTGES or ULBP1 siRNA reversed their inhibition of T-cell proliferation in vitro. The culture conditions such as cell confluence at harvest seem to be important for gene expression profile ofMSCs; therefore, the results of this study may provide useful guidelines for the harvest ofMSCs that can appropriately suppress the immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. The recurrence of CBD stone is still observed in a considerable number of patients. The study was to evaluate the risk factors for recurrence of symptomatic CBD stone in patients who underwent cholecystectomy after the removal of CBD stone. Methods. The medical records of patients who underwent removal of CBD stone with subsequent cholecystectomy were reviewed. The risk factors for the recurrence of symptomatic CBD stone were compared between the recurrence and the nonrecurrence group. Results. The mean follow-up period was 40.6 months. The recurrence of symptomatic CBD stones was defined as the detection of bile duct stones no sooner than 6 months after complete clearance of CBD stones, based on symptoms or signs of biliary complication. 144 patients (68 males, 47.2%) were finally enrolled and their mean age was 59.8 (range: 26?86) years. The recurrence of CBD stone occurred in 15 patients (10.4%). Themean period until first recurrence was 25.9months. The presence of type 1 or 2 periampullary diverticulum and multiple CBD stones were the independent risk factors. Conclusion. For the patients with type 1 or 2 periampullary diverticulum or multiple CBD stones, careful followup is needed for the risk in recurrence of symptomatic CBD stone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tyrosinase is a ubiquitous enzyme with diverse physiologic roles related to pigment production. Tyrosinase inhibition has been well studied for cosmetic, medicinal, and agricultural purposes. We simulated the docking of tyrosinase and D-(--)-arabinose and found a binding energy of -4.5 kcal/mol for the up-form of D-(--)-arabinose and -4.4 kcal/mol for the down-form of D-(--)- arabinose. The results of molecular dynamics simulation suggested that D-(--)-arabinose interacts mostly with HIS85, HIS259, and HIS263, which are believed to be in the active site. Our kinetic study showed that D-(--)-arabinose is a reversible, mixed-type inhibitor of tyrosinase (α-value= 6.11 ± 0.98, Ki = 0.21 ± 0.19 M). Measurements of intrinsic fluorescence showed that D-(--)- arabinose induced obvious tertiary changes to tyrosinase (binding constant K = 1.58±0.02 M-1, binding number n = 1.49±0.06). This strategy of predicting tyrosinase inhibition based on specific interactions of aldehyde and hydroxyl groups with the enzyme may prove useful for screening potential tyrosinase inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the accuracy of liver stiffness measurement (LSM) in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in a multicenter, prospective study in South Korea. Between June 2005 and July 2009, 91 CHC patients without a previous history of antiviral treatment, clinical evidences of cirrhosis, coinfection with other viruses, and heavy alcohol consumption and with alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ≤ 5x upper limit of normal, total bilirubin ≤ 1.5 mg/dL, sufficient liver biopsy quality (≥ 15 mm and more than six portal tracts), interquartile range to median liver stiffness (LS) value ratio ≤ 0.21, and more than 10 valid measurements, were recruited. The Batts and Ludwig scoring system was used for histologic assessment. Age-platelet index (API), aspartate aminotransferase (AST)-to-platelet ratio index (APRI), and age-spleen-platelet ratio index (ASPRI) were calculated. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) was used to evaluate the performance of LSM and other noninvasive models. The mean age was 47.9 years, and the mean LS value was 7.7 kPa (44 men and 47 women). LS value was highly correlated to the fibrosis stages ( r = 0.835, P < 0.001). The AUROCs of LSM were 0.909 for ≥ F2, 0.993 for ≥ F3, and 0.970 for F = 4 and were superior to those of API (0.72, 0.858, and 0.948, respectively), APRI (0.780, 0.887, and 0.904, respectively), and ASPRI (0.713, 0.862, and 0.957, respectively). The optimal cutoff LS values were 6.2 kPa for ≥ F2, 7.7 kPa for ≥ F3, and 11.0 kPa for F = 4. Our data suggest that LSM can accurately assess liver fibrosis in patients with CHC and be applied in South Korea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper reports on an optoelectrofluidic platform which consists of the organic photoconductive material, titanium oxide phthalocyanine (TiOPc), and the photocrosslinkable polymer, poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA). TiOPc simplifies the fabrication process of the optoelectronic chip due to requiring only a single spin-coating step. PEGDA is applied to embed the moldless PEGDA-based microchannel between the top ITO glass and the bottom TiOPc substrate. A real-time control interface via a touch panel screen is utilized to select the target 15 ηm polystyrene particles.When the microparticles flow to an illuminating light bar, which is oblique to the microfluidic flow path, the lateral driving force diverts the microparticles. Two light patterns, the switching oblique light bar and the optoelectronic ladder phenomenon, are designed to demonstrate the features. This work integrating the new material design, TiOPc and PEGDA, and the ability of mobile microparticle manipulation demonstrates the potential of optoelectronic approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) has demonstrated clinical activity against both wild‐type and lamivudine‐resistant hepatitis B virus (HBV). We analyzed the evolution of viral load and the changes of polymerase and precore/core promoter sequences in lamivudine‐resistant virus during ADV therapy. The authors studied 14 patients who had breakthrough hepatitis after lamivudine therapy. Serial sera were obtained prior to adefovir administration and at 3, 6 and 12 months after ADV therapy. Nucleotide sequences of polymerase and the precore/core promoter from the hepatitis B virus were analyzed. The median serum HBV DNA decrease with adefovir treatment was 4.35 log10 copies/mL at 12 months. Tyrosine‐methionine‐aspartate‐aspartate (YMDD) mutants were found in 12 patients among the 14 patients with lamivudine resistance. The YMDD mutant viruses reversed to the wild‐type in 6 patients out of the 12 patients after 3–6 months of ADV after discontinuing lamivudine therapy. In the analysis of the nucleotide sequences of the precore/core promoter gene, core promoter mutants in 12 patients were replaced by wild‐type virus in three patients (25%), while precore mutants in four patients were replaced by the wild‐type in three patients (75%). The results demonstrate the patterns of polymerase and precore/core promoter mutations in lamivudine‐resistant hepatitis B viruses and the reversion from the mutant to the wild‐type in some patients. In addition, despite several mutations in the polymerase during ADV therapy, ADV effectively suppressed HBV replication without the emergence of resistant viral mutants. J. Med. Virol. 79:902–910, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We conducted the proteomic studies to detect the dysregulated proteins in the atopic dermatitis (AD) proteome obtained from the patient-derived primary cultured fibroblasts. Acetaldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (ALDH1) was detected as being significantly down-regulated at the pH ranges of 6–9 and 4–7. The transcriptional levels of ALDH1, as detected by RT-PCR and real-time PCR, further confirmed the down-regulated phenomena for all the AD-fibroblasts ( n = 20). The expression levels of ALDH1 in the whole skin tissue samples were further supported by the results of the primary cultured samples. These findings clearly demonstrate that ALDH1 can be a dermal biomarker for AD disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent data have shown that the clinical outcome of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection may be influenced by the host genetic factor. The aim of this study was to investigate whether particular human leukocytes antigen (HLA) molecules are associated with the susceptibility to HCV infection in the Korean population. Methods: One hundred and thirty-seven patients with chronic HCV infection and 206 normal individuals were examined for HLA class I and II molecules. Results: In class I antigens, the frequencies of HLA-A3 (relative risk (RR)=3.5, P<0.04), HLA-B35 (RR=2.0, P<0.03), and HLA-B46 (RR=2.5, P<0.02) significantly increased in chronic HCV carriers compared with the controls. The frequencies of DRB1*0803, DQB1*0601 and DQB1*0604 were significantly higher in chronic HCV carriers than in controls (RR=2.5, P<0.005; RR=1.8, P<0.05; RR=1.9, P<0.04, respectively). On the other hand, the frequencies of DRB1*0301, DQA1*0501 and DQB1*0201 were significantly lower in chronic HCV carriers than in normal controls (RR=0.2, P<0.03; RR=0.4, P<0.004; RR=0.5, P<0.02, respectively). The haplotype DRB1*0803−DQB1*0601 significantly increased (RR=2.5, P<0.02) while the DQA1*0501−DQB1*0201 significantly decreased (RR=0.2, P<0.03) in chronic HCV carriers compared with normal controls. In stratification analysis to investigate the interrelationships among the associated alleles, DRB1*0803 and DQB1*0601 were associated with HLA-B46, particularly in patients with chronic HCV carriers. Conclusions: These results suggest that particular HLA alleles may have an influence on chronic HCV infection as a host genetic factor in the Korean population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Few clinical trials have investigated the use of lamivudine (LAM) in patients with decompensated cirrhosis related to chronic hepatitis B. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of extended LAM treatment and to determine the timing of LAM administration in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Methods: A total of 17 patients were treated with LAM 100 mg/day. The mean duration of follow up was 28 ± 8.4 months (range: 14–42 months). All patients were evaluated for evidence of clinical, biochemical and serologic replication of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. There were 12 patients with Child class B and five with Child class C. Results: Ten of 17 patients (58.2%) responded to LAM treatment. Of the breakthrough patients, six (86%) had YMDD motif variants. Clinical improvement was observed in nine out of 10 responders (90%), six of the seven breakthrough patients (86%) and five of six patients with YMDD variant DNA. Mean time to achieve a 2-point reduction in Child–Pugh–Turcotte score was 14 months in patients with Child class C, compared with 5.9 months in those with Child class B ( P < 0.001). Mean time required to gain a 0.5 g/dL increment in albumin was 14 months in Child class C and 5.8 months in Child class B. Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) seroconversion was achieved in five of 13 HBeAg-positive patients at the last follow up and during the follow-up period. Conclusion: Long-term administration of LAM for patients with decompensated cirrhosis is effective. Earlier LAM administration in Child class B patients led to improved clinical outcomes. © 2005 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Choi JY, Bae SH, Yoon SK, Cho SH, Yang JM, Han JY, Ahn BM, Chung KW, Sun HS, Kim DG. Preconditioning by extracorporeal liver support (MARS) of patients with cirrhosis and severe liver failure evaluated for living donor liver transplantation – a pilot study. Liver International 2005: 25: 740–745. © Blackwell Munksgaard 2005 The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the effectiveness of preconditioning molecular adsorbent recirculating system (MARS) treatment on patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (AoCLF), who were awaiting living donor liver transplantation (LDLT). Between January and December 2001, 10 consecutive AoCLF patients (with progressive hyperbilirubinemia (>20 mg/dl) and hepatic encephalopathy grade ≥2) were studied. MARS was used in eight of these patients who were evaluated for LDLT during 2001. Three AoCLF patients who received LDLT before clinical use of MARS were used as historical controls. Because of a shortage of donors, only five out of 10 patients considered for LDLT could receive transplants. Three patients were treated with MARS for 8 h the day before receiving LDLT, and all three survived. The remaining two patients who received transplants, and who were not pretreated with MARS, died from sepsis and multi-organ failure within 2 weeks. Four of the patients who did not receive transplants because of donor shortage died despite 1 or 3 MARS treatments, however bilirubin levels and grade of encephalopathy were significantly reduced in these patients. Results of this small pilot study suggest that MARS, by reducing the severity of jaundice and encephalopathy, might be effective as a bridging option in AoCLF patients awaiting LDLT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aims of study were to compare the rates of ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR), for patients treated with either quadrantectomy or lumpectomy at a single institution, and to identify predictors of IBTR after breast-conserving therapy (BCT). The database and medical records of 807 patients who underwent BCT for breast cancer between 1987 and 2002 were reviewed. The age of the patient, tumor size, lymph node status, extensive intraductal component (EIC), re-excision, final margin status, and the extent of surgery were examined in reference to IBTR rates. Of the total 807 patients, 456 (56.5%) had undergone quadrantectomy and 351 patients (43.5%) had lumpectomy. Apart from the higher re-excision rate in the lumpectomy group (p < 0.001), there were no significant differences in clinical and pathologic characteristics between the patients in the two groups. At the median follow-up time of 72 months. 2S cases of IBTR (3.4%) and 56 cases of systemic recurrence (6.9%) had developed in 72 patients (8.9%). On multivariate analysis, young age (⩽ 35) (p = 0.041), positive lymph node (p < 0.001), and the presence of EIC (p = 0.004) were independent predictors of IBTR. However, we could not find a significant difference in IB'IR rate between the two groups (p = 0.546). Thus, the extent of breast surgery (quadrantectomy or lumpectomy) did not make a significant difference in IBTR if adequate surgical margins could be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spontaneous regression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare phenomenon. This case of a 65-year-old Korean man with HCC and metastatic frontal bone mass that regressed after radiotherapy for frontal bone mass without any other therapeutic modalities is described. The clinical diagnosis of HCC was made because of the presence of a liver mass on abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan, high serumα-fetoprotein value and tissue diagnosis on frontal bone biopsy. The patient refused any other recommended treatments, but accepted the radiation therapy due to a painful frontal bone mass, and ingested mushroom calledPhellinus linteusfor one and a half years. Ten months after radiation therapy, he experienced a reduction in size of the frontal bone mass and improvement of lesions in the liver, sternum and ribs. The patient is alive and in good condition without any symptoms or tumor aggravation in August 2002. It was concluded that a rare case of spontaneous regression of HCC had occurred. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe a previously healthy woman who developed liver cirrhosis as a sequela of acute hepatic injury that was induced by ketoconazole administration to treat onychomycosis. The initial presentation of the disease was of a typical acute hepatitis, characterized by nausea, anorexia, fatigue, and jaundice that developed during the administration of ketoconazole. Many other causes of hepatitis were absent in the patient. Even though the hepatic injury was gradually resolved for several months after cessation of the drug, the liver function was not completely restored. Six months after the onset of illness, a follow-up abdominal computed tomography and peritoneoscopic liver biopsy were performed. They revealed a marked reduction in the liver volume and a definite cirrhotic change, which persisted for more than 5 years. The case suggests that the administration of ketoconazole can cause liver cirrhosis through acute hepatic injury within a short time under certain circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the sonographic findings in a case of fibrous pseudotumor of the tunica vaginalis. Scrotal gray-scale sonography revealed a well-margined, hypoechoic mass with an onion ring appearance and central calcifications in the left scrotum. Color Doppler sonography showed no blood flow within the mass. The pathological examination revealed a fibrous pseudotumor with a paucicellular and fibroblastic proliferation of cells within a hyalinized collagenous stroma. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound, 2011; [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented to report on the case of a 25-year-old man with multiple viral warts who was treated with acitretin.

The article discusses various reports published within the issue including one on the roles of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), one on the mechanisms of autotaxin in the treatment of melanoma and another one on the inhibition kinetics for tyrosinase.

A letter to the editor in response to the article "The poor response of phototherapy in old lesions of vitiligo may be related to the presence of white hairs," published in a previous issue is presented.

A letter to the editor is presented in response to the article "Development of an in vitro Bowen’s disease model using a three-dimensional culture system."

The unusual behavior of 5-methoxy-3,4-dihalo-2(5H)furanones (I) in the reaction with diisopropylamine is studied and a possible mechanism for the formation of ring opening products (V) is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examines the hair color of patients with segmental vitiligo. The study analyzed the hair color of 20 patients who experience the condition with ages from 8 months to 10 years through the use of a portable digital microscope. Results show that all patients with segmental vitiligo were linked to leukotrichia. The study concludes that the existence of white hairs in vitiligo lesions suggests that the condition may be resistive to medical intervention.

A nonlinear least-squares technique was applied to thermodynamically consistent kinetic (TCK) models for transport of ammonium by the NKCC2A cotransporter to identify model parameters that display typical ion binding kinetic curves. TCK models are needed to evaluate NKCC2 function when outside ion concentrations are sufficiently low to limit or reverse transport. Assuming equilibrium binding and asymmetry of the off-binding and translocation rate constants, the model consists of a system of 15 linear equations with 11 unknown parameters. One can reduce the number of unknown parameters by assuming symmetry of some parameters. Models with 7 to 11 parameters were considered. For each model the least-squares method was applied to identify parameter values which lead to kinetic curves in agreement with published binding kinetic data (Bergeron, et al, AJP 285: F68-F78, 2003 and Plata, et al, JBC 277:11004-11012, 2002). The models all predicted curves consistent with the binding data, and all exhibited proper behavior at very low ion concentrations. However, the model with highest binding symmetry showed smallest error and, thus, may be optimal. This approach provides a systematic means to obtain TCK models of cotransporters for use in models of epithelial cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The title compound, C(8)H(10)ClNO(5), was obtained via a tandem Michael addition-elimination reaction of 3,4-dichloro-5-meth-oxy-furan-2(5H)-one and glycine methyl ester in the presence of triethyl-amine. The mol-ecular structure contains an approximately planar [maximum atomic deviation = 0.010 (2) Å] five-membered furan-one ring. The crystal packing is stabilized by inter-molecular N-H⋯O and weak C-H⋯O hydrogen bonding.